Caring for Fine Books

The enemies

A book is attacked by ordinary life: ultraviolet light bleaches spines, dust abrades paper, humidity swells boards, and a heavy volume shelved upright is slowly deformed by its own weight.

The habits

• Shelve upright with neighbours of similar height, or flat if the volume is very large; never lean.
• Keep books out of direct sun and away from radiators; steady, moderate humidity beats any extreme.
• Handle with clean, dry hands; white gloves are for photographs, not for reading.
• Open a new binding gently in stages rather than forcing it flat at once.

The case

A slipcase or solander box is the first act of conservation: it takes the light, the dust, and the handling in the book's place. Keep cased works in their cases, and draw the volume out by its sides, never by the spine's headcap.

Patina is time agreeing with the maker; damage is time winning. The habits above are the difference.